Package



T. s. oL-.sEN 2,429,191

PACKAGE Oct.' 14, 1947.

Filed Nov. 1', 1945 INVENToR.; a/Vs zsE/v Patented Oct. 14, 1947 .UNITED STATES PATENT oFFICE General Baking Company,'New York,"'-N`.'Y., a corporation of New York eauaonNovember 1, 19.45, Seam?- ,6264,23

9 entete. (01; 2pc-5.6) Y' The present invention relates to packages, more particularly tov packages of stacks ofslabs of bakery products, such as sliced bread loaves, or other products as may be desired, and has for a general object the provision of such package characterized by a tray lof relatively stiff sheet material wrapped with the stack of slabs or sliced loaf within a flexible wrapper, with the tray eectively provided in a simple and `economical manner with a slab-discharge slot closed by a ap covered and at least partly held in eicient package-closing position by an overlying wrapper portion which in turn is provided with effective indicia in the vicinity of the ap to guide tearing of the wrapper to permit outward, slot-producing swinging of the iiap.

Another object vofk the invention is to provide such a package wherein the wrapper is weakened adjacent the lip of a slot-closing flap in an underlying tray of relatively stii paperboard, or the like, which does not deleteriously affect'eiective protective covering of the contained sliced product or stack of slabs during distribution, while assuring ready formation of a slab-discharge slot by the consumer permitting easy withdrawal of slices or slabs and eiective reclosure of the package between slab-removing operations.

Still another object ofthe` invention is to provide a simple and economical structural embodiment of the device which is readily constructed and allows efcient use and operation thereof.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplied in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in onnection `with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, `with parts broken away, of an embodimentof the invention con-- sisting of, by way of example, an inverted package of sliced bread;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of a tray, in flattened condition, forming a part of the package shown in l.; and

vvFig, 3 is a side elevational view of the package shown in Fig. l, with parts broken away, and either Parts manipulated to Slice-dishareinepos'- ons.

In the drawing like numerals identify like parts throughout. As'showii'in Figflfininverted position, Uan `embodiment ffthe package ofthe present ninvf'entionl may comprise a "sliced loaf of bread I Ufrnade up ofa plurality of ,slices Iii-'II seated witlflina trayv I2 ofrelatively stiff material, suon As shown in Fig 2,' the tray I2 may be made friri flat arbeerd Sibefaltally" iii the Shale@ shown, to'c o1r1prise "a"b ottornpanel Igl Vand two Side panel I5, l5, respectively dened from the bottoni panel I4 by lcrimp or fold'lines I I6. The 'Side panels 1,5, l5 may .be beet upwardly along fold ,lines I6, L6 t9 pps'it'en tlfii substantially 'at' right angles to the bottom panel la, as indicated in Fia 1- The Sliedloef 0f breed '9 Will .then be placed upon the bottom panel Igbetween the side panelsl, lfand. .this assembly Will then be wrange@ in 'the wel manger 11.1 waxed rarer, wrapper I3 With the longitudinal edges of theI wrapper overlapped along the bottom of the package, such as atl TnFg. 1, and each end I tucked in in overlapp'ing"relation.` As is usual, the overlapping portions. of thev wrapper I3 may be heat sealed together",with',the'wak` orparaflln `coating of the wrapper prlovidingthe desired adherence. I-f desired, Vend "seals or stickers I9 may be employed to effect a more secure closure of the ends of the wrapper.

Inaccordance with the present invention which dictates the employment of the tray l2, the latter may be severed at 20, 2p along fold lines I5, I5, either all theway through to forni slits, or partially to permit easy break away along such lines. The' bottom panel :I4 may als() be Completely severed transversely at 2 I, or partially alongv such line, with the resulting break line or slit cornmlmiating with break er 'slits at 20 2 'f-O form a `flap 22 which may be hinged along a transverse fold line 23; As a result', a discharge slot 24 extending transversely of the bottom panel )A of the tray Ig maybe or is formed, with that slot being closed by the hinged flap k2.2. Such tray l2, with a'slixced loaf of bread Ill placed thereon, will then be enclosed inan outer flexible wrapper I3, as indicated above, .with at least one of the slices I .I Ylocated opposite to orabove 4the discharge slot The .cut or break line 27| provides the hinged .flap l2? with a' 119125, Obviously the position ,of .the flap 2g may be reversed so that its lip 2,5 .is nearer the left @ad 0f im' 2, as viewed in the drawing than, 15th@ fold line 3 23, or location of the flap in the tray may be changed as desired.

The wrapper I3 is provided with a tearing guide mark or indicia 26 in the vicinity of the lip 25 of the hinged flap 22. Such indicia or mark 26 may be provided on or in those portions of the wrapper I3 whichare to overlap at I'I to form the bottom 2'I of the package, but preferably are provided across the bottom of the package after the wrapper I3 has been sealed in position about the loaf I and its receiving tray I2. In the preferred embodiment such indicia or mark 26 is formed by a weakened line such as may be produced by a series of perforations, as shown in Fig. 1. Preferably that portion of wrapper I3 which overlies flap 22 is secured or adhesively axed thereto. This may be accomplished by heat-anchorage of the bottom 2'I of the wrapper I3 to panel I4 of tray I2 at the time heat-sealed seam I 'I is formed. The wax on the wrapper I3, and, if desired, additional wax on tray I2 may be used for that purpose. Such feature assures more accurate and eicient association of parts, particularly after ap 22 has been swung outwardly in providing the slice-discharge slot 24.

After a sliced loaf of bread, or similar product, has been packaged in accordance with the present invention as described above and distributed to a consumer, the latter may, in order successively to remove slices II from the package, break the wrapper I3 along the scored or weak- III ` be said to fall therebetween.

cned line 26, and, if necessary, break tray panel I4 along break lines 20, 2B and 2|, in any simple manner such as by application of slight pressure. Breaking of the wrapper I3 at one or more places along the score line 26 will permit access to the underlying lip 25 of the hinged ap 22. Insertion of a finger nail or suitable instrument beneath the ap lip 25 will then permit the flap 22 to be swung outwardly to the position indicated in Fig. 3, thereby forming or opening the slice-discharge slot 24, and such outward prying may break away flap 22 along lines 23, 20 and 2I when the latter are lines of weakening rather than slits. Duringr this procedure of outward swinging of flap 22 the wrapper I3 will tear along its fold edges 2'8, 28 in the vicinity of the side slits 20, 20 forming the ends of the hinged ap, although, if desired, additional lines of weakening may there be provided in the wrapper.

After the package is opened in the manner described above, as by swinging outwardly the flap 22 to provide the slice-discharge slot 24, one or more of the slices II may be removed through the latter as desired. After removal of one or more of the slices the ap 22 and the portion of the wrapper I3 covering or secured to the same may then be swung back into slot-closing position effectively to close the package. Maintenance of such closure may be assured by resting the bottom 21 of the package upon any supporting surface, such as the bottom of a bread drawer.

It will be understood that the package of the present invention may be employed to advantage in the packaging and distribution of many bakery products in addition to sliced loaves of bread, such as a variety of types of crackers, cookies, cakes, etc., when separate units thereof are in the form kof slabs which may be stacked and then packaged in the above manner.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above and those made apparent from the preceding description are efliciently attained, and since Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A package of slabs comprising, in combination, a flat-bottomed tray of relatively stiff paperboard having side wall anges, said tray being at least partially severed across the bottom and along portions' of the sides thereof in the vinicity of juncture with the flanges to dei-lne an elongated transversely extending hinged flap having a lip and adapted when swung outwardly to provide a discharge slot of dimensions suicient to accommodate a slab, and a exible waxed wrapper covering said tray and a stack of slabs resting on edge thereon between the side flanges, said wrapper having a score line extending across the bottom thereaof adjacent the lip of saidy flap to promote ready tearing of a flap in the wrapper above the trayrilap so that both flaps may be swung outwardly together to provide the discharge slot while permitting closure of the latter by said flaps.

2. A package of slabs comprising, in combination, a ilatbottomed tray of relatively stiff paperboard having side wall flanges, said tray being at least partially severed across the bottom and along portions of the sides thereof in the vicinity of juncture with the flanges to define an elongated transversely extending hinged ap having a lip and adapted when swung outwardly to provide a discharge slot of dimensions tufcient to accommodate a slab, and a flexible waxed wrapper covering said tray and a stack of slabs resting on edge thereon between the side flanges, said wrapper having its portion overlying said flap secured to the latter and provided with a score line extending thereacross adjacent the lip of said flap to promote ready tearing of a flap in the wrapper above the tray flap so that both aps may be swung outwardly together to provide the discharge slot while permitting closure of the latter by said flaps.

3. yApackage of slabs comprising, in combination, a flat-bottomed tray of relatively stii paperboard having side wall flanges, said tray being at least partially severed across the bottom and along portions of the sides thereof in the vicinity of juncture with the anges to dene an elongated transversely extending hinged flap having a lip and adapted when swung outwardly to provide a discharge slot of dimensions suicient to accommodate a slab, and a exible waxed wrapper covering said tray and a stack of slabs resting on edge thereon between the side flanges, said wrapper having its portion overlying said flap secured by wrapper wax to the latter and provided with a score line extending thereacross adjacent the lip of said Ilap to promote ready tearing'of a flap in the wrapper above the tray iiap so that both flaps may be swung outwardly together to provide the discharge slot while permitting closure of the latter by said flaps.

4. A sliced loaf package comprising, in combination, a flat-bottomed tray of relatively stiff paperboard having side wall flanges, said tray being at least partially severed across the bottom and along portions of the sides thereof in the vicinity of juncture with the flanges to define an elongated transversely extending hinged flap having a lip and adapted when swung outwardly to provide a discharge slot of dimensions sufficient to accommodate a slice, and a flexible waxed wrapper covering said tray and a, sliced loaf resting thereon between the side iianges, said wrapper having a score line extending across the bottom thereof adjacent the lip of said flap to promote ready tearing of a flap .in the wrapper above the tray iiap so that both flaps may be swung outwardly together to provide the discharge slot while permitting closure of the latter by said naps.

5. A package of slabs comprising, in combination, a tray of relatively stiff material having a hinged flap at a certain position .in the bottom thereof extending transversely thereacross substantially the full width thereof, a stack of slabs of certain thickness resting on edge .in said tray with said slabs arranged transversely of said tray and substantially parallel to said flap and with at least one of said slabs resting on edge on said flap, said flap being of a dimension longitudinally of said tray at least greater than the thickness of each of said slabs and adapted when swung outwardly to provide a discharge slot of dimen- .sions suiicient to accommodate edge-wise discharge of at least one of said slabs at a time when aligned therewith, and a iiexible wrapper covering said tray and said stack of slabs therein, said wrapper having indicia in the vicinity of the lip of the flap to guide tearing of the wrapper for outward swinging of said flap.

6. A package of slabs comprising, in combination, a tray of relatively stiff material having a hinged flap at a certain position .in the bottom thereof extending transversely 'thereacross substantially the full width thereof, a stack of slabs of certain thickness resting on edge said tray with said slabs arranged transversely of said tray and substantially parallel to said flap and with at least one of said slabs resting on edge on said ilap, said iiap being of a dimension longitudinally of said tray at least greater than the thickness of each of said slabs and adapted when swung outwardly to provide a discharge slot of dimensions suicient to accommodate edge-wise discharge of at least one of said slabs at a time when aligned therewith, and a exible wrapper covering said tray and said stack of slab-s therein, said wrapper having across the bottom thereof a tear line in the vicinity of the lip of the flap to guide tearing of the wrapper for outward swinging of said flap.

7. A package of slabs comprising, in combination, a tray of relatively stiff material having a hinged flap at a certain position in the bottom thereof extending transversely thereacross substantially the full width thereof, a stack of slabs of certain thickness resting on edge in said tray with said slabs arranged transversely of said tray and substantially parallel to said flap and with at least one of said slabs resting on edge on said flap, said flap being of a dimension longitudinally of said tray at least greater than the thickness of each of said slabs, and adapted when swung outwardly to provide a discharge slot of dimensions sufficient to accommodate edgewise discharge of at least one of said slabs at a time when aligned therewith, and a flexible wrapper covering said tray and said stack of slabs therein, said wrapper having across the bottom thereof a score line in the vicinity of the lip of the ilap to promote ready tearing of the wrapper for outward swinging of said flap.

8. A package of slabs comprising, in combination, a tray of relatively stiff material having a hinged flap at a certain position in the bottom thereof extending transversely thereacross substantially the full width thereof, a stack of slabs of certain thickness resting on edge inv said tray with said slabs arranged transversely of said tray and substantially parallel to said flap and with at least one of said slabs resting on edge on said iiap, said iiap being of a dimension longitudinally of said tray at least greater than the thickness of each of said slabs and adapted when swung outwardly to provide a discharge slot of dimensions sufficient to accommodate edge-wise discharge of at least one of said slabs at a time when aligned therewith, and a flexible wrapper covering said tray and said stack of slabs therein, said wrapper having its portion overlying said iiap adhesively secured to the latter and provided with indicia in the vicinity of the lip of the ap to guide tearing of the wrapper for outward swinging of said flap.

9. A package of slabs comprising, in combination, a tray of relatively stiff material having a vhinged ap at a certain position in the bottom thereof extending transversely thereacross substantially the full width thereof, a stack of slabs of certain thickness resting on edge in said tray with said slabs arranged transversely .of said tray and substantially parallel to said flap and with at least one of said slabs resting on edge on said flap, said flap being of a dimension longitudinally of rsaid tray at least greater than the thickness of each of said slabs and adapted when swung outwardly to provide a discharge slot of dimensions suicient to accommodate edge-wise discharge of at least one of said slabs at a time when aligned therewith, and a flexible waxed wrapper covering said tray and said stack of slabs therein, said wrapper having its portion overlying said flap secured by wrapper wax to said flap and provided across the bottom with a score line in the vicinity of the lip of the flap to promote ready tearing of the wrapper for outward swinging of said flap.

THOMAS S. OLSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Apr. 16, 1937 

